Modular coating unit and method for coating plastic components

Abstract

A method for coating plastic components of a motor vehicle. A modular coating unit is provided having a first coating module for coating at least one workpiece composed of plastic. A second module for the preparation of the coating material may be provided in the coating unit. The completed coating material to be applied is mixed from a base material composed of non-volatile components from a first container, to which solvent or water from a second container and concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments from third containers may be admixed in the module for the preparation of the coating materials.

What is claims is: 
     
         1 . A modular coating unit, comprising:
 at least one module including a coating module for coating at least one workpiece composed of plastic, and a mixer to admix a coating material that includes a base material composed of non-volatile components from a first container, a solvent or water from a second container, and concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments from at least one third container.   
     
     
         2 . The modular coating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the base material from the first container and the solvent or water from the second container are present in a quantitative volume fraction of at least 80% in the coating material to be applied. 
     
     
         3 . The modular coating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the coating material to be applied comprises 10-20% base material. 
     
     
         4 . The modular coating unit of  claim 3 , wherein the coating material to be applied comprises 60-70% solvent/water. 
     
     
         5 . The modular coating unit of  claim 4 , wherein the coating material to be applied comprises 10-30% concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments. 
     
     
         6 . The modular coating unit of  claim 5 , wherein the effect pigments comprises metal pigments. 
     
     
         7 . The modular coating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer is configured to access the first container, accesses the second container, and access the at least one third container. 
     
     
         8 . The modular coating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer is in fluidic communication with the coating module. 
     
     
         9 . The modular coating unit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer is integrated in the coating module. 
     
     
         10 . A method for coating a plastic component of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a modular coating unit that includes at least one module including a coating module for coating at least one workpiece composed of plastic, and a mixer to admix a coating material that includes a base material composed of non-volatile components from a first container, a solvent or water from a second container, and concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments from at least one third container;   producing a completed coating material by mixing in situ, using the mixer, a base material, a solvent or water, and concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transporting the completed coating material to the coating module. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein mixing in situ, using the mixer, is conducted in the coating module. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising mixing the completed coating material in a spray mist of the coating module, and simultaneously supplying the completed coating material in a predetermined mixing ratio to at least one spraying head. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein producing the completed coating material comprises admixing paint residues from the at least one third container. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein producing the completed coating material comprises mixing the base material, the solvent or water, and the concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments in the coating unit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising supplying, in a predetermined mixing ratio, the base material, the solvent or water, and the concentrated colour pigments and/or effect pigments to at least one spraying head.